Points to consider while reading X-It.
1 From the beginning of X-It, J.J. is consumed with self-hatred and apathy. What are the reasons for her low self-esteem? How was she been wounded in the past?
2 At the start of the story, J.J. lives in a major metropolitan city, San Francisco. What is it about New York that captures J.J.’s imagination and inspires her to move? What is she running toward? Away from?
3 J.J. gives her complete trust to X-It from the moment she meets him. Why does she do this so completely? Could it be considered a case of Love At First Sight?
4 How does art and creativity affect the way each character sees themselves? J.J.? Penny? X-It? Voodoo? Crikey?
5 Why does J.J. Continue her relationship with Michael after the first phone call. What does he represent for her?
6 What clues does the author give about X-It’s sexual orientation that J.J. Ignores? What does this willfull ignorance tell you about J.J.?
7 Voodoo introduces J.J. to shooting up drugs but she doesn’t blame him. Instead she accepts responsibility, even though he was manipulative. However, when she uses the same tactics on X-It, she is consumed with guilt. Is she right to feel this way? What level of responsibility do we hold for each other’s behavior?
8 Is X-It a tragic figure?
9 Why is J.J. attracted to Voodoo despite her better judgment? What are the things he does to earn her trust? What part of J.J.’s psyche might Voodoo represent?
10 Does X-It have a happy ending?